In Touch News with Bramford March 2019 by steve@intouchnews.co.uk

In Touch

™© ™©

with Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham Volume 9 • Issue No. 5 • MARCH 2019

Bramford Church by Nigel Paul

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I hope you value the fact that we aim to produce a monthly magazine with a balance of advertising and editorial content, providing essential information about products and services we all require and supporting local business in doing so, while also providing relevant local news which enables residents to engage with the local community and keep in touch with local news and events. As editor I juggle this rather delicate balance very carefully and encourage readers to support the advertisers who enable Mansion House Publishing (MHP) to design, print and deliver the magazine every month and to support an enormous range of fundraising activities and charities. You’ll find quite a few in this edition and I hope you can support the efforts of those who make them happen. One which I’d like to highlight this month, and which we have made a commitment to support until the project has been completed, is The Blossom Appeal, a Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals charity set up to develop a £2.5 million Breast Centre at Ipswich Hospital. The new centre will bring all elements of breast care at Ipswich Hospital under one roof and provide an environment where patients can be imaged, biopsied where necessary, and see their clinician in one appointment without the need to get dressed and undressed several times. There will also be new dedicated clinics for men and young people. We’ll provide regular updates, promote fundraising events and let you know how you can help. Right now they are looking for people to open their gardens in 2019. All types and size of garden are welcome. You choose when to open. Simply ask visitors for a donation to view your garden and sell refreshments, plants or crafts to boost your fundraising. Register your garden at www.colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/opengardens or for more information contact: charity@esneft.nhs.uk / 0300 770 1369

NEWS

BRAMFORD FLOWER SHOW The 2019 Flower Show will take place on Saturday, July 6. The photograph competition (6” x 4”) for adults is Windswept and for ages 12 to 16 it’s a building in Bramford. Schedules should be out next month. I hope we have lots of entries. Good luck to everyone. Maureen Renton

SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019 Wheelie planning is coming together. The live music programme is now confirmed with lots to look forward to: Noon: Wattisham Military Wives Choir

To find out more about The Blossom Appeal please visit: www.colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/breast

InTouch

with Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham

Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380

Send editorial copy to: bramford@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

Advertising Email: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380

Distribution Tree Martin Email: tree@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380

Printing Colourplan Print Email: steve@colourplan.co.uk

01473 400379

Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/ editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.

We also publish In Touch with... •B eyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit •C apel St Mary •B arham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton •B elstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook •D edham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary •B aylham, Gt & Lt Blakenham & Nettlestead • I pswich East •K esgrave & Rushmere St Andrew •B rantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley •M artlesham Heath & Old Martlesham •N eedham Market & The Creetings •C helmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone •B urstall & Sproughton •S towmarket & Stowupland • Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin, Westerfield & Witnesham •C hattisham, Hadleigh, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon •M elton & Woodbridge

In Touch

APRIL DEADLINE 10 MARCH 2019

is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

1pm: RAF Honington Band 2pm: Justine De Miere 2.30pm: Andrew Heasman 3pm: Roma 3.30pm: Noah 4pm: Chris Francis 4.30pm: James Nunn 5pm: Gussie Stafford 6pm: The TORSiON FiELD 7pm: Unit Ninety Nine 8pm: Hollow Box 9pm: Five Mile High 10pm: End How about doing a table top sale to make some money from your unwanted items? If you are an organisation, individual or trader and would like to run your own stall, would like to be a Wheelie sponsor or would like to join the Wheelie team as a volunteer, contact Terry: 07733 226898 / wheelieenquiries@btinternet.com If you have a vehicle you would like to show off contact Andy: 07833 089148 / wheelievehiclebookings@aol.com All proceeds will go to our local charity for the maintenance of the village playing field. Facebook: Wheelie Fun Day

ALLOTMENTS AT BRAMFORD (STATION FIELDS) We currently have a number of vacancies so if you fancy growing your own, please contact us at 07835 433031

NEWS BRAMFORD PARISH COUNCIL

ST MARY’S 20:20

We’re gearing up to local elections at the parish council this month, with nominations needing to be submitted to the district council by April 3, ready for voting on May 2.

Great Blakenham Church has stood in the village for nearly 800 years, with foundations probably predating the present building. Each generation has left its mark on the building – from the pews, to adding the tower and then a wooden porch, shaping and reshaping the windows.

So, if you think you’d make a good councillor, now’s your chance to find out! If you’re British, a citizen of the Commonwealth or EU, at least 18 years old, registered to vote in the Bramford area or have lived, worked or owned property here for at least 12 months, you could be eligible to apply. You don’t get paid for it, but if a sense of pride in your community is important to you, being a parish councillor may give you the satisfaction you’re making a positive contribution. Councillors in Bramford attend a monthly meeting where issues raised are discussed and, hopefully, resolved in the best interests of the community. They ensure money is spent wisely under the scrutiny of independent auditors and, above all, share a pride in the look and feel of the parish which forms the basis of everything they do. Further general information can be found at https://beacouncillor.co.uk or contact our clerk, Diana, at: bramfordparishcouncil@btinternet.com As the new houses on Willowbrook, opposite the cemetery, become occupied, the parish council can apply for extra funding through the Community Infrastructure Levy Scheme (CIL) to help with certain projects, including improvements to community and sports halls, play areas and open spaces. Councillors have already compiled a ‘wish-list’ of such projects and are actively seeking money to help with continued repairs to the Old School building, the Loraine Victory Hall and property on the Playing Fields. This funding is not restricted to parish councils though so we’d encourage other groups and organisations to contact the clerk for details on how to apply: bramfordparishcouncil@btinternet.com Finally, this month’s parish council meeting is on Monday 18 at 7.30pm in the Parish Room, Ship Lane, and residents are welcome to attend. Find us at the far end of the Old School building, through the red door!

BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION FUNDRAISING EVENT

We love our current building, but to meet the needs of our growing village and active congregation, we have launched a major reordering project called 2020 that will make fit the building for another generation. The 2020 project will include: • The (re)installation of a new window, the moving of the baptismal font and a new floor for the east end of the building. • The installation of mains water and a new kitchenette at the back of the church with facilities to make refreshments and wash up. • The installation of a new toilet, accessible to all, including a new path and lighting. • Modernisation of the electrics, including connections to the building. St Mary’s is Grade 1 listed so all work must be carried with due care and respect to the building and its surroundings. And of course, these things never come cheap. On top of the ever-increasing daily bills to simply keep the church open and running, we are looking at having to raise about £100,000. We hope that some of this will be raised by grants from other sources, but most of this we will have to raise ourselves. We are already selling floor tiles for the new floor in memory of loved ones, anniversaries, a celebration or occasion. These are £10 each and a special commemorative book will be created with your personal inscription. Forms for these can be picked up from the church, which is kept open during daylight hours. FUNDRAISING EVENTS Other fundraising events will be held throughout the year, including a Wedding Festival at the village hall on Monday, May 27 and also a brand new Village Fete and Doggy Day on July 13. We now have regular quiz nights in the Parish Room too. We would welcome any other fundraising ideas and help and hope this might be a village project.

Live music from the 50s 60s and 70s, singing and dancing are coming to Great Blakenham Village Hall on Friday, April 5, 7.30-11.30pm. Tickets are just £7.50.

Further details about leaving a legacy to the church can be found on our website by clicking Policies.

Following the highly successful pig racing night which raised £1,000, the Suffolk British Heart Foundation volunteer group in Great Blakenham is hosting their second event to raise funds for the charity.

The Rev Carl

If you enjoy live music, singing and dancing, and are partial to a great party atmosphere, then this will be for you. Kevin Barry will be performing at Great Blakenham Village Hall so make sure that you don’t miss out as tickets will sell out very quickly. Tickets can be ordered from any of the people below. Don’t forget to dig out those outfits from the back of the wardrobe and come dressed for the era. Fantastic raffle and a fully licenced bar at club prices. You just need to bring your own snacks. Keely: 07816 498095 / keely.crane@gmail.com Tracey: 07938 705578 (6-9pm Mon-Thurs / noon-9pm Fri) Nigel: 07387 261861 / donkinn@bhf.org.uk Please help the Great Blakenham BHF Volunteer Group to Beat Heartbreak Forever.

Full plans and architects drawings can be found in the church.

01473 833542 / carlmelville@hotmail.com

FRENCH CONNECTION Somersham/Challain-la-Potherie Village Link Visit from Challain-la-Potherie: May 30 – June 2 Somersham is linked with a village similar to our own in the Loire Valley area of France. This year we welcome guests from our link village when their planned visit to us takes at the end of May. Visitors stay with host families, giving us a great opportunity to get to know each other, to appreciate each other’s way of life, and to pick up a bit of the language, plus lots of time together as a group when both English and French are spoken. Interested? Would you like to be a host, or to be involved in any other way? Perhaps you just want to know more. If so please contact one of the following: Gill Fordham: 831529 / David Haughton: 831511 Janet Hodge: 832296 / Pat Woolhouse: 831080

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NEWS COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT JOHN FIELD’S REPORT TO GIPPING VALLEY: FEBRUARY 2019 Cabinet approve cuts to Citizens Advice A consultation was held and an Equality Impact Assessment produced over the Christmas period to assess the impact cuts to county council funding of Citizens Advice. However, neither was available prior to the Cabinet meeting, so the county plan remains to cuts by 50 per cent to £184,000 in 2019/20 and to zero in 2020/21. Austerity is still with us and could shortly take a turn for the worst so money saving is necessary, but at what cost? The CAB receives £1.2m in total from local authorities. They help 21,663 clients with 75,532 issues and claim to save the NHS £1.3m, DWP £2.2m and housing providers £1.7m in a year. County was suggesting the CAB approach Suffolk crematoria for funds as they give money from gold fillings, etc. to charity, a suggestion I find hard to believe. However, the NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk and the NHS West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Groups have stepped into the gap. Clearly they understand the value of this service despite their own funding issues. Locality Funding This year, across my county and district locality budgets, I have managed to help Bramford Church redecorate their hall, the Victory Hall improve security, the Playing Field install a ‘castle’ and the parish buy a Vehicle Activated Sign. Henley Community Centre has had a donation towards replacement of their chairs, Great Blakenham Parish Room for redecoration and Bramford Scout Group to improve their kitchen. A bit Bramford and Blakenham focussed, but they had schemes to fund and your district councillors have been active in Claydon and Barham. I hope this meets with your approval. Investment for Special Educational Needs A cross-party Policy Development Panel has recommended that Suffolk County Council invests £45.1m to develop new SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disability) schools and specialist units within schools in Suffolk. This investment would create a desperately needed additional 828 specialist education places in Suffolk. Currently many children struggle to access appropriate provision and are forced to travel to out-of-county

schools to get the support they need. The Cabinet have agreed in principle to the PDP’s recommendations. The capital investment programme will need to undergo a full investment appraisal before the Cabinet will make a firm commitment, but this is good news. Upper Orwell Crossings Project Cancelled The Upper Orwell Crossings project in Ipswich has finally been cancelled after concerns were raised last summer that the project was likely to go well over the original budget. It was not possible to get additional funding and the DfT funding will go to other national projects and will not be spent in Ipswich. Suffolk County Council has spent over £8m on the project to date, most of which was on consultants’ fees. Money had to be spent to meet government target timings, but the county committed the cardinal sin of revising specifications significantly and running into cost increases. There were also delays in getting approval from landowners for some work. New Director of Highways Appointed After a long search, a new Director of Growth, Highways and Infrastructure has been appointed. Mark Ash will join Suffolk County Council in February from Essex County Council. Hackneys Corner Did I report improvement too soon? The area is tidier and some progress has been made by the new contractors. I have had residents asking about street lamp connection, but I believe that was always scheduled for a later date. I have to say that in Baylham the contractor for the pipe laying has moved at a good pace, stayed ahead of schedule and keeping people informed. It can be done! If you have any queries, please phone me on 01473 831306 (you will need to say your name and press #) or 07545423808 or email me at: john.field@suffolk.gov.uk I do have Twitter (@JohnFieldjd) and Facebook (fieldjd) accounts and my website is at: www.johnfield.suffolk.libdems.org

CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFELINE Easter Chocolate Bingo April 6 is our Easter Chocolate Bingo. Do remember that this was sold out in 2018 so get your tickets early! It’s not your normal Bingo! Using a big screen, all Bingo numbers are called by celebrity voices such as Michael Cane, Victor Meldrew, Ozzie Osborne and others. Prizes are given for one line, two lines and a full house and everything is chocolate related, though not all edible! There are six games played, cards for games one to five are £1 each and for game six they are £3 each as the full house prize is £100 cash! During the interval a hot meal is provided followed by scrummy deserts. There will also be a free competition with a prize for the winners. We have a magnificent raffle – all Easter and Chocolate themed of course. If you want a really good family night out, where children are welcome, a full bar is available and you get fed as well, all for only £6 (£3 for under10s), tickets are available from our charity shop on Coddenham Road in Needham Market or from: 01449 760343 / 07974 424374 Can you help us to help our children? As many of you may know, the children arrive with only the clothes they

are wearing. We are busy collecting nearly new items which we give to the children on arrival. They take clothes not only for themselves, but also for siblings at home. If you have any children’s clothing, particularly for ages six to 13, which you would like to donate we would be extremely grateful. We are now collecting clothing for all ages as any surplus to requirements for the summer group will be taken to the social shelter in Belarus, a home for children who have been removed from their parents care. The children can be in the home for up to six months while a decision is reached as to whether they can be returned home or will go on to be fostered or adopted. Donations can be left at the charity shop or call the number below to arrange collection. If you are interested in finding out more about the charity in general, or maybe you would like to help in our charity shop we would love to hear from you. Please do get in touch. Thank you to everyone for your support as always. Link Chair Elizabeth Parker 01449 760343 / enquiries@ccllmidsuffolk.org.uk www.ccllmidsuffolk.org.uk / www.facebook.com/ccllmidsuffolk

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BRAMFORD & DISTRICT SOCIAL CLUB WHAT’S ON IN MARCH

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REGULAR DARTS, CRIB, KARAOKE, POOL AND SNOOKER NIGHTS DURING THE WEEK. MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE NOW. We have a snooker room, pretty outside seating area and hot drinks available at the bar – so come and join us for coffee or beer.

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT WOMEN TOGETHER RECOVERY GROUP (WT)

SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE FACILITY

Meetings are self-help recovery groups for all women regardless of their addiction or life problem. They are facilitated by women who are in recovery themselves and people who have supported others in their journey to freedom. We provide an environment where women can talk about their daily struggles, share their experiences, strength and hope openly and honestly in a safe place. They can be with others who share a common desire to overcome addictive behaviour. It’s somewhere women can seek healing for one another. WT wants women to regain the self-confidence, self-belief and self-worth that addiction has stolen from them. Meetings are held on Monday at 10.30am at Whitton Baptist Church, 209 Highfield Road, Ipswich IP1 6DH, on Monday evenings at 7.45pm at Shepherd Drive Baptist Church, Shepherd Drive, Pinewood, Ipswich IP8 3SL and on Thursdays at 1.1 pm at Ipswich Community Church, Clarkson Street, Ipswich IP1 2JL For more information please visit the Women Together Recovery Group Facebook page, or contact us at: 07503 416576 / womentogether@talithakoum.org.uk

BRAMFORD PLAYING FIELD MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE The committee consists of a group of people who give up their time and energy to promote and upkeep the playing field. We are always looking for enthusiastic Bramford residents to join our endeavours! If you are interested, come to our AGM on Monday, April 15 at 7pm in the playing field pavilion. Our present project is the erection of new play equipment in the play area with the help of Mid Suffolk District Councillor Kevin Welsby and County Councillor John Field.

Come and have a look around Are you interested in finding out how your household waste is turned into energy? We are hosting a series of open days throughout the upcoming months. We have places available on the following dates: March 15 at 10am, April 2 at 6pm and June 3 at 2pm. There are up to 20 spaces available on each day, and pre-booking is essential. Email suffolkefw.uk@suez.com or call 01473 839149 to enquire about a space. Can’t make the dates? We host tours for groups or five or more people, or alternatively we can contact you when our next open days are scheduled. SUEZ Communities Trust SUEZ Communities Trust provides funding to projects that support community and environmental improvements. In 2018, the trust awarded over £15,000 to projects local to the Suffolk energy-from-waste facility.

Our main problem at this time is dog fouling around the football pitch. Please will all dog owners clear up after their pets? It would be a shame to ban dogs completely from our playing field.

Funding is available to projects within close proximity to any SUEZ sites that meet certain criteria. If you know of any local projects that could be deserving of funding, visit the following website for more information about the trust and how to apply: www.suezcommunitiestrust.org.uk

SnOASIS PARISH ALLIANCE (SPA)

We’re on Twitter Did you know that Suffolk’s energy-from-waste facility is on social media? For more frequent facility updates, fun facts and all the handy tips you could ever need about rubbish, recycling, and food waste, follow us on Twitter: @suffolkefw

In the autumn of 2016, Onslow Suffolk Ltd put in an application to Mid Suffolk District Council for SnOasis Reserved Matters to be considered – Planning Application no. 4494/16. Full details visit: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning A number of local parish councils and meetings joined together to form SnOasis Parish Alliance to work together to represent the residents of their communities – over 11,000 people – who will be affected by this development. The SPA member parishes are Baylham, Barham, Bramford, Claydon & Whitton, Great Blakenham, Little Blakenham, Needham Market, Nettlestead and Somersham. The SPA has commented in depth on Reserved Matters, but has not received a satisfactory response from the developer. Therefore, it was both surprising and concerning when we were recently given to understand by BMSDC Planning that they intend to take Reserved Matters to committee in March. As I write, the SPA are trying to arrange an urgent meeting with Planning to discuss this. We have serious concerns over, amongst other things, the unanswered questions about Reserved Matters, the process that will be followed, how much time will be given to scrutinise the final documents and whether the SPA, as well as councils and residents, will have sufficient opportunity to put their views across to the committee. For further information, please email SPA Clerk Janet Gobey: snoasispa@icloud.com Steve Plume, Chairman SnOasis Parish Alliance

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Any questions? If you have any queries about our operations, please contact the facility at: 01473 839149 / suffolkefw.uk@suez.com OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS Environment Agency: 0800 807 060 SUEZ Communities Trust: 01454 262910

SOMERSHAM AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB Chris Parfitt gave a talk on the gardens of the Isle of Wight at our first meeting of the new year. As usual, this was a very interesting evening, especially as Chris spent a few years there as a boy. Our next meeting is on Monday, March 11 at 7.30pm in Offton and Willisham Village Hall when Neil Bradfield will give a talk on Ulting Wick Gardens, which are in the heart of rural Essex. For further information please call: 01473 254941/830600

Building it right Thinking about… • Building an extension? • Making internal alterations? e.g. removal of walls • Converting your garage? • Creating an annexe?

Your council can help. At Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, we have a dedicated, independent and impartial team with over 100 years combined specialist knowledge in the construction industry. Our team can help guide you through that all-important alteration to your home, whilst ensuring you meet mandatory Building Regulations at a time to suit you. Want more info or a quote? Speak to one of the team at: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/building-control/ or www.babergh.gov.uk/building-control/

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Out & about

EASTER BRIC-A-BRAC SALE 1 Sproughton Brownies are holding our annual Easter Bric-a-Brac Sale on Saturday, March 23 in Sproughton Church Hall from 2-4pm. st

SOMERSHAM AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY SHOP

This year’s sale is in aid of Save the Children, H.O.P.S and Brownie funds.

The Playing Field, Princes Gardens, Somersham / 01473 833416

Please come along, support us and grab yourself a bargain.

OPENING TIMES Monday to Friday: 8am-6pm / Saturdays: 9am-1pm

Admission is free! Stalls include white elephant, toys, books, clothes, next-to-new, cakes, a draw, games and refreshments.

SHOP LOCAL, EAT LOCAL, SPEND LOCAL, ENJOY LOCAL AT SOMERSHAM & DISTRICT COMMUNITY SHOP Somebody at the shop has come up with the ‘Shop Local’ message above. I’m not sure who suggested it, but how appropriate it is for us all? It’s so good to have a local shop in a village these days and makes a big difference to the life of a community. It’s up to us all, both as volunteers and as customers, to make a success of such a valuable enterprise and to keep the shop at the heart of the village. Well, spring is coming – what a happy thought! Two dates to note in March are Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day, Tuesday, March 5, and Mother’s Day on Sunday, March 31, so be prepared with eggs, flour and lemons for pancakes and a card for mum later in the month. If celebrating with mum you can order a cake from our bakers to make tea-time special. During the winter the community shop has been happy to host the Tea and Chat afternoons. The last one for this year will be on Wednesday, March 27 and the Coffee Caravan will then continue its summer service with tea, coffee, cake and information once a month on the green at Brook Way. Petrolheads will continue in the shop on the first Wednesday afternoon of the month through the summer Lucy, our part-time manager, is still poorly, but bearing up cheerfully. We have been so fortunate to have loyal and devoted volunteers who have worked extra hours to cover for Lucy’s absence. Our thanks to them all, especially to Anne who has done sterling work over this period. Our best wishes and love to Lucy during this difficult time and we look forward to her having better health in the future. We miss you Lucy and look forward to having you back with us! A new noticeboard to take the place of the one at the foot of the shop signpost is being made by one of our volunteers. We are grateful to him for doing this and look forward to seeing it in place so that passersby are able to see where we are and take advantage of the services we offer. Just to remind you of our regular services: orders are taken for regular or one-off meat, bread and cakes; Coffee Corner for a relaxing chat; a new read from the book exchange; dry-cleaning service collected each Tuesday; newspapers and magazines for collection; a delivery service for those with mobility problems

GREAT BLAKENHAM CINEMA In a change to the previously announced schedule we shall be showing The Jungle Book on March 31. This is due to the fact that the film company is not permitting showings of Mary Poppins while the original is in the cinema and as there is no guarantee that the license for Mary Poppins Returns will be out in time we have had to change the film. After a Facebook poll where 47 of 86 people voted, the film for March will now be The Jungle Book. In addition to a raffle to raise funds to make the cinema sustainable, we will also be holding a cake sale to raise money for Brain Tumour Research. Brain Tumour Research holds a Wear a Hat Day to raise awareness and funds in March. It would be great to see the biggest, boldest and hattiest hat yet for which there will be a prize. Working with the Suffolk Cinema Network, films are shown on a 10ft x 7.5 ft screen. Doors open at 2pm and movies begin at a 2.30pm. We are trying to make the event accessible to all and to be dementia friendly with all our volunteers being Dementia Friends. Thanks to Suffolk Cinema Network, the first three showings are being funded by the National Lottery without whose support this would be impossible. This is a not for profit business run by volunteers with any funds raised going back into the venture to improve the experience. We have been lucky enough to be supported by Power to Change whose vision is to create better places through community business. If you feel you could give some time once a month, or join the rota of volunteers, donate raffle prizes or help spread word then please do get in touch at greatblakenhamcinema@outlook.com, via the Facebook page (Great Blakenham Cinema) or by calling Becky on 07852 472082.

We are sorry to lose Natasha from the management committee due to her workload. We thank her for her service to the shop and look forward to her continuing presence with us as a customer. If you think you would like to take a place on the committee, please come and join us, and new volunteers are always welcome. Even a couple of hours a month can make all the difference. The shop gives real heart to the local community, long may it continue. Management Team Management Team: Lucy Barrett – 831890; Sue Browne – 831321; Peter Jousiffe; Anne MacFadyen – 831288

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OUT & ABOUT BRAMFORD COFFEE MORNING The coffee morning will take place on Saturday, March 16 from 10 to 11am at the Methodist Church in The Street, Bramford. Tea, coffee, cakes and a variety of pickles and preserves will be on sale. This is a good chance to sit and chat with fellow visitors in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. We hope to see you there.

JUMBLE SALE The 24th Ipswich Scout Group is holding its monthly jumble sale on Saturday, March 2 from 1-3pm at 24th Scout HQ, 330a Bramford Road, Ipswich (beside the railway bridge) Come and bag a bargain

BRAMFORD CRAFT & CHATTER GROUP This month we will meet on Tuesdays, March 12 and 26. We will be in the Parish Room from 9.30am to noon as usual. Visitors are welcome; we just ask for £2 to help pay for the hire of the room. New crafty people or Scrabblers are very welcome.

BRAMFORD LOCAL HISTORY GROUP BRAMFORD TREFOIL GUILD In February Mr Ken Lightfoot told us many hilarious stories about his time on the railway.

Our speaker this month is Edward Packard who will tell us about the diaries kept by his relative Alice Packard. She lived on Shotley peninsula and her diary includes the period of the Great War. It sheds some illuminating information about Suffolk in that period. The talk will be on Thursday, March 14 in the Parish Room at 7.30pm as usual. Non-members are welcome (£3).

Our next meeting is on March 4 when our talk is about the East Anglian Air Ambulance. We meet at the Guide and Scout HQ in Ship Lane Bramford at 2pm. Visitors and new members always welcome.

IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 5 Route 5 Town/village 5A 5B 5C 5D 5E 5F 5G 5H 5I 5J 5K

Location

Time

Sproughton Church Lane Sproughton Wild Man Bramford St Mary’s Close Bramford Paper Mill Lane Great Blakenham Chequers Great Blakenham, Blue Leighs Mobile Home Park Baylham Post Box Claydon Crown Claydon, Edinburgh Gardens Barham Bacon Road Bramford Packard Place

9.10-9.25am 9.30-9.45am 9.50-10.05am 10.10-10.25am 10.35-10.55am 11-11.15am 11.25-11.45am 11.55am-1pm 2.05-2.20pm 2.25-3.50pm 4-4.30pm

2019: 12 March, 9 April, 7 May, 4 June, 2 July, 30 July, 27 August, 24 September, 22 October, 19 November, 17 December

IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 13 Route 13 Town/village 13A 13B 13C 13D 13E 13F 13G 13H 13I 13J 13K 13L 13M

Location

Crowfield Lay by Coddenham Haysel House Barham Sorrel Horse Creeting St Mary Whissels Farm Creeting St Mary Village Hall Creeting St Peter The Lane Earl Stonham Village Hall Little Stonham Church Little Stonham Magpie Inn Mickfield Church, Debenham Road Stonham Aspal, Walnut Tree Meadow Pettaugh Old Bull Henley Garage

Time 9.25-09.45am 9.55-10.50am 11-11.10am 11.20-11.30am 11.35-11.45am 11.55am-12.10pm 12.20-12.50pm 2-2.10pm 2.15-2.25pm 2.30-2.45pm 2.55-3.30pm 3.35-3.55pm 4.05-4.30pm

2019: 22 March, no visit in April, 17 May, 14 June, 12 July, 9 August, 6 September, 4 October, 1 November, 29 November, 27 December

BRAMFORD WI I hope that you are coping with this winter weather. Our next meeting, in the Loraine Victory Hall on Monday, March 11 at 7.30pm, could be taking us to warmer places. Our speaker will be Peter Hasketh and he’s going to tell us what it’s like to travel the world on container ships. The competition is A Souvenir from my Travels.

BRAMFORD COMPUTER CLUB The club will meet every Wednesday in March from 10am until noon in the upstairs room of the Methodist Church in Bramford. Ultra+ broadband and refreshments are available. Membership for the year, payable in September, is £1, plus £3 for each twohour session. There is no set programme, but we are here to help you to get the most out of your computer. Why not give us a try?

MONTHLY INDOOR MARKETS AT CHAMBERLIN HALL Monthly Indoor Markets are held at Chamberlin Hall, Bildeston IP7 7EZ. The hall is a sizeable venue with ample parking and hosts a range of stalls offering cakes, jams, pickles, game, crafts, beauty, homewares, fashion and much more. We offer refreshments throughout the event which runs from 10.30am to 2.30pm. Interested stallholders should contact Jayne at: chamberlin.indoormarket@gmail.com Future dates are March 7, April 13 and May 11. Do come along and see what we have to offer.

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OUT & ABOUT WORK ALONG THE RIVER GIPPING After closure of the Stowmarket Navigation in 1934 there followed many years of neglect, which resulted in the navigation becoming impassable and in some places, little better than an open drain. The River Gipping Trust was formed just over 10 years ago to help preserve the historic heritage of the Stowmarket Navigation by restoring the structures that enabled navigation of the River Gipping from the centre of Stowmarket to the docks in Ipswich and to care for the flora and fauna of The Gipping Valley. Over the last few years, members of the River Gipping Trust have put in tens of thousands of hours of volunteer work along the river. Much restoration work on the four locks between Needham Market and Baylham has been done, but there is still much more to do. Three of the locks are virtually complete, ready for lock gates. The Trust is hoping to complete work on the fourth (at Pipps Ford) this year, so it too will be ready for lock gates. Over the next couple of years the Trust is planning to build a new footbridge across the river near Baylham and thus restore the original footpath route alongside the river bank. Discussions with the landowners to build the bridge, with a permissive path to it are ongoing, and the Trust needs to raise the necessary funds for the bridge material. Our team of volunteers will carry out bridge installation works. Work has already commenced on the permissive path alongside the river leading to the bridge. If you would like to join our work party please contact Martin Bird on 01394 380765. Find our more at: www.rivergippingtrust.org.uk

SOMERSHAM WI Each year WI groups across the country vote on resolutions they wish to support. Over the years, the WI has supported resolutions on saving honeybees, recruiting more midwives, reducing loneliness and reducing plastic soup. This year’s resolution is Make Time for Mental Health and we have invited Suffolk MIND to talk at our March meeting. The resolution aims to recognise the importance of parity between physical and mental health so we hope to learn more about what we can do to support talking about mental health matters. Guests or new members are welcome at any time (pro-rata fees are available throughout the year). All information is on our website (link below). We continue to meet on the third Monday of the month at 7.30pm in Somersham Village Hall. www.somershamwi.wordpress.com www.facebook.com/SomershamWI

SPROUGHTON SENIOR CITIZENS The young children from the nursery school paid us a visit and we spent a very pleasant half hour watching them play and draw. It was very tiring but very interesting! We are now looking towards spring and will arrange a few talks and outings, but meanwhile Wednesday meetings will be the usual card games, refreshments and bingo. Eunice

GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50’s CLUB Open to anyone over-50 living in Great Blakenham and the surrounding area. We meet from 2-4pm in Great Blakenham Parish Room (opposite the Chequers PH) on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. The building is fully accessible. The cost per meeting is £2 which includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and the raffle. On afternoons when we may play a couple of games of bingo the tickets are £1 each. We started back on January 9 and though few in number had an enjoyable Beetle Drive in the afternoon. On January 23 we enjoyed quizzes and bingo. Our remaining programme for the first half of the year is: March 13 March 27 April 10 April 24 May 8 May 22 June 12 June 26 July 10 July 24

On This Day The History of Mother’s Day Spring Raffle and Bring-and-Buy Celebrating the Queen’s Reign Games Afternoon Social Afternoon with Brenda TBC TBC Social Afternoon with Sandra Summer Party

New members are always welcome so if you would like to come along and see what goes on we will be pleased to see you. Jackie Durrant: 01449 672690

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB Open to anyone living in Great Blakenham and the surrounding areas, the club meets every Monday other than bank holidays in Great Blakenham Parish Room (opposite the Chequers PH) from 2-4pm. The building is fully accessible. Members pay £2 per meeting to cover hall hire, refreshments, the monthly workshop goody bag and weekly raffle prizes. Alternatively you may wish to bring your own project and enjoy our company and make new friends. Members take it in turns to make the tea. We started back in February and were pleased to welcome Sue Grayston from Nettlestead to the club. Our first workshop for the year was a new baby and toddler card making workshop with lots of materials in the goody bags to make at least five cards or a picture or mobile for the nursery. OUR PROGRAMME FOR 2019 March 4 April 1 May 13 June 3 July 1 August 5 September 2 October 7 November 4 December 2

Seaside Fact and Fantasy Village Life and Little Mice Summer Sewing A Bit of Bling Autumn’s Coming Take Heart Fabric Cards Christmas Cards with a Twist AGM

There is currently room for new members so please get in touch if you would like to join us. Although the club is all ladies at present, gentlemen who would like to learn crafts are welcome. Unfortunately I can’t accommodate children. Jackie Durrant: 01449 672690

CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL At the time of writing the children have been enjoying tasting Chinese food and doing different pig crafts relating to Chinese New Year 2019, The Year of the Pig. They are looking forward to dressing up in their pyjamas next week for Crackerjacks Children’s Trust and will be doing a cooking activity for Valentine’s Day. The children enjoy playing outside in all weathers, especially when it snows. We have recently had our Ofsted inspection and we’re very proud to have received a ‘Good’ rating. A number of companies have come to have a look at our garden as we are going to revamp it. We have sent out the Smartie challenge to parents and children to raise money for our garden improvements. As we are now open all year (except bank holidays and the Christmas period) we can take children up to five years old for additional sessions during the school holiday weeks, subject to availability. If you would like to book any days during the holidays, please contact the administration assistant for more details. We can take children who are entitled to 30 hours funding. Simply register at Childcare Choices to see if you are eligible. If you would like an application form or any further information please contact Lisa Read: Claydon Pre-school, Old Scout Hut, Thornhill Road, Claydon IP6 0DZ / 01473 831648 / admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk www.claydonpreschool.co.uk

HENLEY PRE-SCHOOL Our Quiz and Curry night was other great event raising a grand total of £1,100 which will go towards a trip to Jimmy’s Farm later in the year and other new resources. Thank you to all who supported this event and look forward to it next year.

ST MICHAEL’S MONTHLY MARKET The next monthly market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday,March 9, 9am-12.30pm. Visit all your favourite market stalls selling fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items. East End Butchers are pleased to be the market’s resident meat supplier. If you would like to place on order with them it can be collected at the market each month. Their number for orders is 01206 392190. Come along to mingle with your friends, have a cup of coffee, and a bacon buttie and enjoy the lovely venue. New stalls welcome. Contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777

IPSWICH & DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB Probus clubs are for retired or semi-retired gentlemen. We meet monthly at the Masonic Hall in Soane Street, Ipswich on the last Wednesday of each month for lunch, followed by talks and lectures on a variety of subjects.

The beginning of March celebrates National Book Week and the children will be dressing as their favourite characters and bringing along their books from home to share. We have our Stay and Play sessions in the week commencing March 25 and the children will be planting daffodils for Mother’s Day gifts and will be out in the garden planting vegetable and flowers. We are a small, rural and friendly setting based at Henley Community Centre. We pride ourselves on high levels of staff to children ratios and therefore providing the maximum care and learning for the children. All staff are highly trained and continue with regular training to build their knowledge further. We provide an extensive range of resources and activities to suit all ages and abilities, ensuring all levels of development and play within the EYFS are explored. Parents play the most important role in children’s lives so we work closely together to ensure we work in partnership. We also hold stay and play sessions each term that are very well supported by parents/carers. Session places are currently available. We accept eligible 30-hour funded children plus two and three-year-old funded. We are open in term time only from 9am to 3pm. We have a well-supported Facebook page that provides lots of information and you can see what the children have been doing. It’s also another way to contact the setting directly.

In addition we hold social events including outside visits when we invite our spouses, partners and friends to join us.

For further information please call 01473 833848 during session time (9am3pm) or email Bridget Wyatt: enquiries@henleypreschool.com

If membership appeals to you, please contact our secretary, Ken Stanley, for further details: 01473 274898 / probus174@gmail.com

Bridget and the team

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SCHOOLS / SPORT BRAMFORD PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP At the beginning of February the children looked at Chinese New Year. They sampled some Chinese food and discovered what animal year they were born in. We had lots of fun making a Chinese dragon and lanterns to hang in the pre-school. The children have been really involved in role play and, at their request, we have developed our pet corner into a vet clinic! We have also been identifying different types of vegetables by their shape, texture and smell, as well as sampling some lovely homemade soup. The children have also made some fabulous vegetable print pictures. If you are interested in your child joining us or would just like further information, please contact: 01473 740782 / bramford.playgroup@btinternet.com We welcome enquiries, however far in advance. Our sessions are already filling up fast for the 2019/20 school year.

CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL Despite last half term being short, we have been busy with various trips, visits and activities including, our bi-annual ski trip to Austria, GCSE Bootcamp at Mersea Island, indoor rock climbing as well as some successful sporting achievements in cross-country and basketball. We recently enjoyed hosting students and staff from schools in Shanghai, China. These students joined us to experience lessons in an English school, but the cultural exchange has been both ways. Year 7 students have been taught some basic Mandarin phrases, how to count to ten on one hand and to write some basic characters using traditional calligraphy. Our Year 10 mathematicians worked alongside the students from China to deliver some Maths Mastery lessons to students in Year 7 and also to students at Claydon Primary School. We are looking to explore a future fuller exchange visit with some of the people we have met. On February 4 a group of students were joined by a fantastic local band called Gemma and the Night Jars and a team from I.E.M. (Industry Education in Music) to take part in a rock band workshop and concert. Students from across all year groups split into groups to form nine separate ’bands’ and spent the day composing original pop music from scratch. With a very tight deadline, this was a huge challenge but our talented students worked extremely hard, using advice and guidance from the professionals to come up with some impressive and original material that was performed at a concert on the very same evening! Elsewhere in the school, auditions for this year’s production of We Will Rock You have taken place and the cast will soon be busy rehearsing the popular songs by Queen as we look forward to staging another fantastic musical. Our Duke of Edinburgh students are busy planning to undertake their expeditions, doing a test run first a bit closer to home where they can practise their walking, map reading, cooking and camping skills. Donations of unwanted, good quality two/three man tents will be gratefully received. Please contact Mr Davenport at gdavenport@claydonhigh.com for more information. We are also currently painting our baby ‘Elmer the Elephant’ who will form part of Elmer’s Big Parade and be on display at the Suffolk Show in May to raise money for St Elizabeth Hospice. As I write this article, we still have so much to look forward to including an art exhibition featuring work from our feeder primary school students alongside Years 7-9, BBC School Report Day, a visit by students from the Instituto de Enseñanza Secundaria Alixar on the return leg of our Spanish Exchange programme and our PTA Quiz Night on Thursday, March 21 at 7pm. If you would like to join us for this fun and popular evening, please contact Lisa on: admin@claydonhigh.com If you would like to visit the school and see us in action, please come along to one of our open mornings. The next one is on Thursday, March 7. Please telephone my PA, Ms J Saunders, on 01473 836110 to book a place. Headteacher Maéve Taylor

An Evening with Ryan Gooding We have a few tickets left to An Evening with Ryan Gooding, one of the UK’s most popular mediums, to be held at Bramford Golf Centre on April 23, doors open at 7pm. Tickets (£10) are available from the pre-school (see above) or by contacting Jen on 07907 291457. There will be a bar available and a raffle on the night, which has some wonderful prizes to be won, all kindly donated by local businesses. These include: Spa Days at Riverhills, family swim passes at First Strokes, tickets to the New Wolsey Theatre, a resort pass to Stoke-by-Nayland Hotel Golf & Spa, tickets to The Regal in Stowmarket, a family ticket to Easton Farm Park, foot golf for five at Fynn Valley, vouchers for Bury St Edmunds Leisure, Morrisons, East Anglian Railway Museum, Ipswich Regent, Dominoes, Tumbledown Soft Play and loads more.

SPRING IS IN THE AIR – It’s TIME TO PLAY TENNIS! Spring is just around the corner and at Bramford Tennis Club we hope you are getting ready to get outdoors as the weather improves and will join us at your local community tennis club. We aim to have lots on offer for all ages and abilities. Our AGM is set for Sunday, March 24 and Carl, the tennis coach, will return with some great coaching offers and fun events including:

Quorn Family Cup: Saturday, April 6 at 2pm Fun doubles parent/child competition based on the mini tennis format, using soft balls and short rackets. Road to Wimbledon: Saturday, May 4 at 2pm Fun singles tournament for kids 14 and under (14U) with the winner going on to represent the club at regional finals and possibly going all the way to Wimbledon! Tennis for Kids 2019 The LTA’s flagship Tennis for Kids programme will return in the spring for beginner players in the 5-7 or 8-11 age brackets. TFK is a great way to introduce your kids to the fantastic sport of tennis and each six-week course includes a racket, t-shirt and set of balls. Mini Tennis Mini Tennis RED (5-7) and Mini Tennis Orange (8-11) squads will return to the club after the Easter break and are a great way for kids to continue to build their tennis skills after Tennis for Kids. Tennis 3’s One for the adults and older kids, a fast paced and fun version of tennis played as a team. This one will get your pulse racing and help develop your skills, reaction levels and tactical awareness. Cardio Tennis Cardio Tennis is a high energy fitness activity that combines the best features of the sport of tennis with cardiovascular exercise, delivering the ultimate, full body, calorie burning aerobic workout. No prior playing experience required and all equipment is provided. To sign up or express interest in any of the above please contact our coach, Carl Douglas: 07553 966380 / carl.douglas@talk21.com To find out more at about any of the items mentioned above please visit: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/BramfordTennisClub www.facebook.com/BramfordTennisClub

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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS GIPPING VALLEY BOWLS CLUB BRAMFORD METHODIST CHURCH At the Heart of Community Minister: The Rev Derek Grimshaw 01473 805486 / dkgrimshaw@msn.com Steward: Ms R Palmer, 01473 831117 Please feel free to contact either of us with any queries. Baptisms, marriages and funerals by arrangement with the minister, who will also arrange Holy Communion for the housebound. Sunday 10.30-11.30am*: Morning Worship with Holy Communion every third Sunday

Members of Gipping Valley A Team received their trophy for winning Division D of the Ipswich & District 2 Wood League at the league’s annual dinner dance held at the Ipswich Hotel. Pictured left to right are John Alderton, Linda Tricker, Pat Ward, Keith Page, Norman Bright (Captain), Mick Roberts, Jim Porter, Edie Roberts, John Hooper and Tony Adams.

SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH Our popular culture has a tendency to trivialise. Serious world problems are ignored by UK based TV news programmes for the trivial and serious debate is interrupted with music. Many churches have the season of Lent for 40 days before Easter, a time to consider the death and suffering of Jesus and reflect on our part in it. Jesus spent 40 days in the desert following his baptism, being tempted. But for us temptation is reduced to chocolate, tobacco and alcohol. The concept of temptation highlights that having all we want is not good. We enjoy luxuries at the expense of poverty of others, we consume energy at such a rate that we ruin the environment, we pursue pleasures that rob other people of their dignity and freedom. When faced with temptation in the desert, all three of satan’s temptations are countered by Jesus with God’s Word. Temptation is not resisted by strong will, but by faith in God, when even he seems to have abandoned us. Temptation is a true test of faith. Who matters most, me or God? Jesus said, “whoever loses his live for me will save it”. Luke 9:25. Christianity Explored @ The Duke Our final session is on Thursday, March 7. If you wish to eat, come at 7pm (order at the bar, prices from £5.50), or for the start of the video at 7.45pm, with discussion finishing at 8.45pm.

10.30-11.30am: Lighthouse Club for ages 5+ (term time only). Bible stories, painting, card making, biscuit decorating, etc. plus free leaflet to take home. 4-6pm: Families@4, an informal get-together with afternoon tea provided and a children’s activity (see diary for theme). Come and go as you please. This is not a service but our minister usually joins us (held once a month; please check diary). Monday 2-3pm: Bible Study, an informal look at issues that those present wish to discuss (every third Monday) Tuesday 2-3pm*: Network/MWiB, our ladies meeting, but gentlemen are always welcome (second and fourth Tuesdays from October-April and second Tuesday from May-September) Wednesday 10am-noon: Computer Club (term time only) Thursday 3-3.30pm*: United Service (very informal) at Cherryfields (first Thursday) Saturday 10-11am: Coffee Morning at the Methodist Church or at Cherryfields (see below / third Saturday of month *followed by tea/coffee DIARY FOR MARCH Sunday 3, 10.30am: Morning Worship, Rev M Allen Thursday 7, 3pm: United Service at Cherryfields Sunday 10, 10.30am: Morning Worship, Rev Y Haye Tuesday 12, 2pm: Network/MWiB – Talk on Talitha Koum Centre

You are welcome to join our regular meetings of worship and fellowship:

Wednesday 13, 7.30pm: Lent Course starts at the Methodist Church with hot drinks from 7pm

Sunday

Saturday 16, 10am: Coffee Morning at Church

10-10.30am: Prayer and Share 10.45-11.15am: Bible Study (Communion on the first Sunday)

Sunday 17, 10.30am: Morning Worship, The Rev D Grimshaw, Holy Communion

11.30am-12.30pm: Worship Service

Monday 18, 2pm: Bible Study

Refreshments are served between meetings, come when you can and leave when you want.

Sunday 24, 10.30am: Morning Worship, Mrs L Cope

Weekdays at the Chapel Lunch and Listen: Thursday, March 7 at noon Friends and Neighbours: Monday, March 18, 7.45pm CONTACTS Mark Newcombe, Pastor 01473 831940 / 07958 830103 / m.newcombe940@btinternet.com Edwin Mayhew: 01473 658100

Sunday 24, 4-6pm: Families@4, The Rev D Grimshaw / Theme: Quiz Tuesday 26, 2pm: Network/MWiB – Ruth Arnold District President: Bees, Beds & Blessings Sunday 31, 10.30am: Mothering Sunday – Morning Worship, The Rev M Dawes. A United Service at the Methodist Church with our friends from the parish church

WORSHIPPING AND FOLLOWING JESUS TOGETHER

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CHURCH NEWS ST MARY THE VIRGIN BRAMFORD, ST MARY NETTLESTEAD, ST MARY THE VIRGIN LITTLE BLAKENHAM, ST PETER BAYLHAM Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Jenny Seggar Jenny is currently on sabbatical. Please contact Stewart on if you need to get in touch with someone: 01473 462231

and they are thankful to Val for suggesting that the names of those taking each service be included in the calendar.

SERVICES IN MARCH

For those of you who missed it, we had a great Christingle Service led by John Chenery with assistance from children and helpers from the Five O’Clock Service. We use our Christingle Service to raise money for The Children’s Society and they showed us how The Children’s Society started.

Sunday, March 3: Sunday before Lent 10am Parish Communion, The Rev Aileen Mortimer, Bramford 6pm Evening Prayer, John Chenery, Baylham

Please note that this month’s coffee morning will be on March 30 with proceeds going to Nerve Tumours UK. You can find out more about their work at: www.nervetumours.org.uk

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Wednesday, March 6 AM Ash Wednesday Quiet Morning, Needham Market Noon Communion Service, followed by a soup lunch, Needham Market 7pm Ash Wednesday Evening service, Needham Market Sunday, March 10: Lent 1 8am Holy Communion, The Rev Chris Chapman, Bramford 10am Holy Communion, The Rev Bruce Wakeling, Nettlestead 5pm 5pm Service, Bramford Tuesday, March 12 11am Communion by Reserved Sacrament, Baylham Care Centre Wednesday, March 13 7.30pm Healing Service, Methodist Church 7.30pm Lent Course, Methodist Church Sunday, March 17: Lent 2 10am Group Parish Communion, The Very Rev Joe Hawes, Baylham Tuesday, March 19 2.30pm The Gathering, Bramford Church Room Wednesday, March 20 7.30pm Lent Course, Methodist Church Sunday, March 24: Lent 3 8am Parish Communion, The Rev Bruce Wakeling, Bramford 10am Fourth Sunday Service, Five O’Clock Service Team, Bramford Wednesday, March 27 7.30pm Lent Course, Methodist Church Saturday, March 30 10am-noon Coffee Morning, proceeds to Nerve Tumours UK, Church Room

Blessings to you all, Stewart and Ken PARISH REGISTERS Baptisms on January 13 Tammy Elizabeth Rankin, Bramford Rhianna Jasmin Miracle Rankin, Bramford Tammy Smith, Bramford Luke Neil Rankin, Bramford Anthony Smith, Bramford May they grow in grace and the knowledge of God. Cleaning Rota: C Thacker and F Noble Flower Rota: March 2 – H Hart; March 9, 16, 23, 31 – Lent Floodlighting of the Spire of St Mary’s Church January 24: In memory of Sandra Cracknell on her birthday March 20: In memory of Joe Gibson on his birthday If you would like to have the spire floodlit, please ring Stewart on 01473 462231. The requested donation is £10 per week. LECTIONARY Bible readings for our Sunday Worship are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. It is good to share the reading of scripture with Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, across the world.

Sunday, March 31: Lent 4 – Mothering Sunday 10am: Joint Mothering Sunday Service, Methodist Church

March 3 Exodus 34.29-35

Sunday before Lent 2 Corinthians 3.12 – 4.2

Green Luke 9.28-36 [37-43a]

10am: Mothering Sunday Communion, Archdeacon David, Nettlestead

March 10 Deuteronomy 26.1-11

Lent 1 Romans 10.8b-13

Purple Luke 4.1-13

Please check porch notices for any changes. Dear Friends, As this piece has to be submitted almost a month early it has to cover quite a lot. The Rev Jenny is now on sabbatical and we pray that she enjoys her periods of retreat, study and relaxation. Before she left, she arranged for our services to be taken by some great friends and leaders. In her absence, Stewart and Ken are providing this article

We also start our Lent Course this month on March 13. Meetings will begin at 7.30pm in the Methodist Church. We will be learning about the Bible using a course from the Pilgrim series we’ve enjoyed at past courses. We’re used to having the Bible read in services, but this may be an opportunity to learn more about it. If you want to know more, please talk to Stewart.

March 17 Lent 2 Genesis 15.1-12.17-18 Philippians 3.17 – 4.1

Purple Luke 13.31-35

March 24 Isaiah 55.1-9

Lent 3 1 Corinthians 10.1-13

Purple Luke 13.1-9

March 31 Exodus 2.1-10 or 1 Samuel 1.20-28

Mothering Sunday 2 Corinthians 1.3-7 or Colossians 3.12-17

Purple Luke 2.33-35 or John 19.25-27

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